In a criminal case, the state, through a prosecutor, initiates the suit, while in a civil case the victim brings the suit. Persons convicted of a crime may be incarcerated, fined, or both. Criminal defense attorneys represent clients who have been accused of committing a crime, and defend their rights at each stage of a misdemeanor or felony case -- from an arrest to an appeal after conviction. Criminal defense attorneys may be hired privately or provided by the government (called "public defenders").
Wayland is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,939 at the 2000 census. The city is located at the northwest corner of Wayland Township, but is politically independent. The city has also incorporated a portion of land in the south of adjacent Leighton Township. U.S. Route 131 forms the western boundary of the city. A portion of Gun Lake also resides in Wayland, which is a popular summer time area because of the so called "Party Island" that resides in the very large lake. Al Capone actually owned a house overlooking the vast lake front.